Professor Charlotte Deane is a leading academic in structural bioinformatics, holding the position of Professor at the University of Oxford's Department of Statistics and Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). She leads the Oxford Protein Informatics Group (OPIG), focusing on protein structure prediction, immunoinformatics, and AI-driven drug discovery. Her research integrates computational methods with biological insights, developing tools widely used in academia and industry. Prior roles include Head of the Department of Statistics, Deputy Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division at Oxford, and Chief Scientist of Biologics AI at Exscientia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served on SAGE and as UKRI's COVID-19 Response Director. In 2022, she was awarded an MBE for her contributions to pandemic research. Her research group's work spans antibody design, T-cell receptor analysis, and small molecule discovery, with a focus on open-source software development. Current projects include advancing AI methods for protein structure prediction and therapeutic antibody engineering. Recent publications highlight innovations in computational drug design, antibody developability, and machine learning applications in structural biology.
Kevin Mackie is Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering (CECE) at the University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering. He has been a faculty member since 2006, advancing from assistant to full professor, and previously served as associate chair and interim department chair. His leadership includes spearheading departmental improvements in culture, workload policy, and digital accessibility. Education: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2004) M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2000) B.E. in Engineering, Cooper Union, New York (1998) His research focuses on structural engineering , particularly in bridge engineering , performance-based seismic design , nonlinear analysis , and advanced materials for infrastructure repair . He integrates analytical, numerical, and experimental methods to assess and improve the resilience of civil infrastructure under extreme loads. His work addresses critical challenges in soil-structure interaction, seismic retrofitting, and the use of composites and smart materials. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on nonlinear modeling , seismic performance , and computational structural analysis of bridges and tall buildings. Key themes include fiber-based modeling, contact-friction problems, soil-structure interaction, and probabilistic assessment, demonstrating a consistent trajectory toward resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems. Scientific Awards: Faculty advisor of the year (2022, 2021, 2019) – ASCE East Central Branch and Florida Section Technical Contribution Leader Award Winner (2021) – ASCE East Central Branch Distinguished faculty member at UCF (2018) – Department of Housing and Residence Life Arthur N.L. Chiu Award for excellence as faculty advisor (2018) – Chi Epsilon Honor Society Mackie has been a dedicated mentor, supervising 11 doctoral , 18 master’s , and over 30 undergraduate students . His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation , U.S. Department of Transportation , Caltrans , FDOT , and industry partners. He has published nearly 200 papers and been cited over 7,000 times. He led the reaccreditation of CECE’s undergraduate programs and established the accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway. He leads the Structures Laboratory at UCF and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on infrastructure resilience. His vision includes expanding graduate programs, strengthening industry partnerships, and diversifying the Senior Design curriculum to reflect real-world engineering challenges.
Steven Swanson is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, within the Jacobs School of Engineering. He is the Director of the Non-Volatile Systems Laboratory (NVSL), where he leads cutting-edge research in non-volatile memory, storage systems, and hardware-software co-design. His work bridges computer architecture, systems, and software to develop efficient, reliable, and secure computing platforms. Ph.D., University of Washington, 2006 B.S., University of Puget Sound, 1999 Dr. Swanson's research centers on non-volatile and persistent memory systems , exploring how next-generation storage technologies can transform computing. His lab develops full-stack solutions including file systems like NOVA and Orion , programming models such as NV-Heaps , and hardware prototypes like Moneta and Onyx . The team also works on low-power co-processors (e.g., GreenDroid ) and tools for debugging and verifying persistent memory programs. Research spans system reliability, security, energy efficiency, and performance optimization. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on persistent memory safety , zero-copy I/O , RDMA-based distributed file systems , and real-world characterization of Intel Optane . These works appear in top venues including ASPLOS, FAST, MICRO, and USENIX ATC, demonstrating sustained innovation in storage and systems research. Scientific honors include: NSF CAREER Award Google Faculty Award Facebook Faculty Award NetApp Faculty Fellow Dr. Swanson has advised 15 PhD students and 4 postdocs , many now faculty or senior engineers at Google, Microsoft, Intel, and other leading tech firms. He has secured significant research funding and leads major community initiatives such as the annual Non-Volatile Memories Workshop and Persistent Programming In Real Life (PIRL) . His educational efforts include innovative courses on robotic system design, quadcopter building, and modern storage systems, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world implementation. The Non-Volatile Systems Laboratory (NVSL) under his leadership fosters a collaborative, international research environment, hosting visitors and postdocs from around the world. The lab is recognized globally as a pioneer in storage systems research and a key contributor to the adoption of persistent memory technologies in industry.
Trey Porto is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, affiliated with the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) and NIST. His research focuses on ultra-cold atoms, quantum optics, and quantum information science. He leads projects on Rydberg atoms, optical lattices, and quantum networking, leveraging cold atom systems to explore novel quantum phenomena and control strategies. Research areas include ultra-cold Rb/Yb mixtures for studying Bose-Einstein condensates and engineered dissipation, as well as photon-photon interactions using Rydberg-dressed polaritons. His work bridges quantum simulation, quantum computing, and precision measurement, with applications in quantum networking and many-body physics. Key achievements include the 2023 UMD Quantum Invention of the Year Award for developing photon-counting methods that preserve quantum states. Porto collaborates with groups such as RQS and JQI, contributing to advancements in subwavelength optical potentials and Floquet-engineered systems. He mentors graduate students in experimental and theoretical aspects of cold atoms and quantum technologies. Publications highlight breakthroughs in Rydberg blockade enhancement, prethermal Bose-Einstein condensation, and compact auto-alignment systems for experimental setups. His lab is based in the Physical Sciences Complex on the UMD campus, with ongoing projects exploring quantum dissipation and photon-atom hybrid systems.
John S. McCartney is a Professor and Hal Sorenson Endowed Chair in the Department of Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He directs the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center and holds editorial roles at journals such as ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering and Computers and Geotechnics. His research focuses on unsaturated soil mechanics, energy geotechnics, and geosynthetics engineering, with applications in thermal energy systems, landfill covers, and seismic response analysis. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder (2002), Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from University of Texas at Austin (2007). Research interests include thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of soils, geothermal energy piles, tire-derived aggregates, and seismic performance of geotechnical systems. His work combines laboratory testing, centrifuge modeling, and numerical simulations to address challenges in sustainable infrastructure and energy systems. Key awards include the Walter L. Huber Research Prize (2016), NSF CAREER Award (2011), and multiple teaching and service recognitions. He actively contributes to ASTM standards and serves as President of the IGS-NA chapter. Lab facilities are located in the Structural and Materials Engineering Building (SME 409). Courses taught include advanced soil mechanics, energy geotechnics, and geotechnical earthquake engineering.
Hamza Salih Erden is an Associate Professor (Docent) at the Informatics Institute of Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. His research focuses on energy optimization in data centers, thermal management systems, and computational fluid dynamics applications. With over 34 research outputs and an h-index of 12, he leads projects in energy-grid integration and carbon-aware load management. Research Focus Dr. Erden's work centers on improving energy efficiency in technological infrastructure through: Advanced cooling techniques for data centers Integration of thermal energy storage systems Computational fluid dynamics modeling Demand-response optimization for smart grids AI-driven monitoring of energy systems Publication Trends Recent works (2022-2025) demonstrate strong focus on sustainable energy technologies, particularly optimization of data center operations through thermal management innovations, integration of renewable energy solutions, and AI applications for system monitoring. Economic assessments of energy-saving techniques feature prominently. Awards and Recognition Technical Paper Award (2016) Multiple International Scientific Publication Incentive Awards (2017-2021) Poster Award (2012) Graduate Student Grant (2007) Projects and Funding Leads multiple energy research projects including: Carbon-aware load management in data centers (2025) Grid-integrated energy system modeling for data centers (2021-2023) CFD analysis of CRAH bypass methods (2018-2020) Economizer applications in Turkish data centers (2016-2017)
Katrin Schollbach is an Assistant Professor in the Building Materials department at Eindhoven University of Technology's School of Built Environment . Her research focuses on sustainable utilization of industrial by-products in construction materials, particularly steel slags from fossil-free steelmaking processes. Expertise: BOF slag activation, carbonation resistance, heavy metal immobilization, eco-friendly binders Projects: Leading the SLAK project (2023-2029) on future slags from fossil-free steelmaking Collaborations: Active international collaborations in construction materials research Schollbach's work explores the chemical and mineralogical properties of industrial waste materials, optimizing their performance in building applications. Key research themes include chemical activation techniques, carbonation processes, and material characterization using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Recent publications highlight her innovative approaches to BOF slag activation, sewage sludge-based sealing materials, and marine infrastructure applications. Her research output demonstrates consistent growth with 89 total publications and collaborations across multiple disciplines. She contributes to education through courses like Climate-responsive Building Design and Masterproject BPS Research , and maintains active research partnerships with institutions worldwide.
Matteo Magnani is a Professor in the Division of Computing Science at the Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University. He leads the Uppsala University Information Laboratory and is a founding member of the Uppsala University Computational Social Science Lab. His research spans network science, artificial intelligence, data science, and computational social science, with a focus on social data mining and multilayer networks. PhD in Computer Science, University of Bologna, 2006 Graduated with honours in Information Sciences, University of Bologna, 2002 Studies in Computer Science at University of Marne la Vallée and Imperial College London Matteo Magnani's research interests include social network analysis, multilayer and probabilistic networks, community detection, visual analytics, and the application of AI to digital media and climate communication. His work bridges computer science and social sciences, particularly in analyzing online discourse and digital intermediaries. He has contributed significantly to the understanding of network structures, uncertainty in networks, and the ethical dimensions of algorithmic analysis. His recent publications highlight trends in fairness in community detection, visual saliency in network layouts, emotional reactions to climate visuals online, and deep learning applications in social media. Topics frequently involve YouTube, Twitter, and online public debates, using advanced network and machine learning methods. Rotary Prize for best student of the Science Faculty Best Paper Award Funniest Presentation Award Best Poster Award Pedagogical Prize from UTN Distinguished University Teacher (Sweden) Docent title (Sweden) Magnani has supervised numerous students and collaborated widely, particularly with Luca Rossi, Alexandra Segerberg, and Davide Vega. He has secured funding from major sources including VR, H2020, STINT, and MIUR. He leads active research labs focused on information systems and computational social science, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in network-based research.
Henry Jäger is a Professor in Food Technology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) since 2014. Previously, he worked as a Project Manager at Nestlé (2012-2014) and Lecturer at TU Berlin (2012-2017), following his PhD/Postdoc at TU Berlin (2006-2012) and Diploma in Food Technology (2000-2006). His research focuses on electrotechnologies in food processing , particularly pulsed electric fields (PEF) and ohmic heating , for microbial inactivation, food preservation, and quality optimization. He explores applications in plant material processing , gluten-free baking , and novel food preservation methods . His work also addresses edible insect processing for allergenicity reduction and protein recovery. Recent publications (2025-2024) analyze synergies between PEF and ohmic heating, biofilm imitation systems for hygiene validation, and computational models for sterilization processes. These studies span food safety , sustainable processing , and functional food design . Henry Jäger actively contributes to scientific communities, serving on the EFFoST managing board , as scientific advisor for food conferences, and as reviewer for journals like Food Chemistry and Trends in Food Science & Technology . He has organized workshops on PEF applications and contributed to EU food technology initiatives.
Professor Ingrid Undeland leads the Marine research group at the Division of Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Life Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology. She is a distinguished researcher with expertise spanning marine food science, lipid chemistry, and blue biorefining, having established herself as a leading figure in sustainable seafood research and marine biotechnology. Her educational background includes food science studies from Linnaeus University and a PhD in bioscience from Chalmers University of Technology and SIK (now RISE). Between 1999-2002, she was a post-doctoral fellow at University of Massachusetts Marine Station, which significantly shaped her research trajectory in marine food science. Professor Undeland's research focuses on pioneering next-generation seafood through innovative value chains from seaweed, small pelagic fish, fish side streams, mussels, and microalgae. Her specialized expertise lies in marine lipids and proteins, particularly their stabilization, isolation from complex sources, and nutritional properties including digestibility. She has extensive experience with antioxidant strategies using plant-derived side streams or extracts and fundamental studies of fish hemoglobins as pro-oxidants. Her work also encompasses innovative technologies for biomass fractionation and nutrient recycling to build blue biorefineries, along with in vitro digestion models and general seafood analytics. Beyond marine research, she explores filamentous fungi as sustainable alternative food protein sources. The trends in her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on valorizing marine resources through advanced processing techniques. Her work increasingly focuses on sustainable extraction methods for seaweed proteins, particularly Ulva fenestrata, and developing antioxidant strategies using berry side streams to stabilize fish proteins. There's a growing interest in understanding the nutritional properties and digestibility of alternative marine proteins, along with environmental assessments of processing technologies. Her research consistently bridges fundamental science with practical applications for creating sustainable seafood value chains. Swedish representative in Nordic Lipidforum, WEFTA, and EuCheMS Editorial board member of Journal of the Aquatic Food Product Technology Member of the National Committee for Nutrition and Food Science at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Co-founder of the startup company AquaFood H-index of 47 according to Google Scholar Professor Undeland has an extensive record of academic mentorship, having supervised or currently supervising 23 PhD students, 14 postdoctoral researchers, and examining over 25 MSc students. Her research is supported by numerous grants, including the WaSeaBi Project which focuses on valorizing seafood side-streams through holistic value chain design. She collaborates with various industry partners and academic institutions across Europe. Her laboratory includes technicians Dr. Karin Larsson and Dr. Rikard Fristedt, and she leads a dynamic research team working on multiple projects related to marine biorefining and sustainable seafood development. Her research group operates within well-equipped facilities at Chalmers University, with specialized laboratories for marine food analysis, protein extraction, lipid oxidation studies, and in vitro digestion modeling. The team also maintains cultivation systems for seaweed and filamentous fungi, enabling integrated research from raw material production to final product development.
Morgan G. Ames is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the UC Berkeley School of Information and serves as Associate Director of Research for the Center for Science, Technology, Medicine & Society. She chairs the Designated Emphasis in Science and Technology Studies and is affiliated with multiple research centers including the Algorithmic Fairness and Opacity Working Group, the Center for Science, Technology, Society and Policy, and the Berkeley Institute of Data Science. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Communication with a minor in Anthropology from Stanford University (2013), an M.S. in Information Management and Systems from UC Berkeley (2006), and a B.A. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2004). Prior to her academic career, she worked as a researcher at Google, Yahoo!, Nokia, and Intel. Ames researches the ideological origins of inequality in the technology world, with a focus on utopianism, childhood, and learning. Her work critically examines how technology design practices shape identities and social structures. Current projects include 'Seeing Like a Valley: the Moral Visions of Silicon Valley,' 'Algorithms in Culture,' and 'Countercultures of Technology Use.' She has published extensively on One Laptop per Child, Minecraft, and the social implications of algorithmic systems. Her publication record shows a consistent focus on the cultural dimensions of technology, particularly examining how utopian visions shape technology design and implementation. Recent work increasingly addresses algorithmic systems and their cultural impacts, while maintaining her longstanding interest in educational technology and youth technology practices. Ames has received significant recognition for her scholarship, including: 2020 Best Information Science Book Award 2020 Sally Hacker Prize 2021 Computer History Museum Prize She advises students on interpretive research methods, particularly ethnography, and serves on doctoral committees though cannot be a primary advisor for PhD students. Her research has been supported by multiple interdisciplinary collaborations, including the 'Algorithms in Culture' conference series she co-organized through the Center for Science, Technology, Medicine & Society. Ames leads the 'Seeing Like a Valley' research collective that brings together scholars from across UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley to examine how the region's industrial practices shape moral visions that influence global technological development and social values.
Susie Dai is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Missouri, with a laboratory located at the Bond Life Sciences Center. Her research bridges chemistry, biology, and engineering to address critical environmental and sustainability challenges. Education: PhD in Chemistry from Duke University; Certificate in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University; Certificate in Regulatory Science from Texas A&M University; BS in Chemistry from Fudan University Dr. Dai specializes in biological and material engineering, carbon waste conversion, contaminant remediation, and synthetic biology. She is developing RAPIMER, a lignin-based fungal scaffold for PFAS removal, and pioneering electro-microbial systems to convert CO2 into bioplastics and biofuels. Her work focuses on scalable, sustainable solutions for environmental pollutants and carbon utilization. Recent research trends include creating biomimetic materials for sustainable packaging, optimizing lignocellulosic biorefineries, and designing lignin-derived photocatalysts. She leads projects funded by Tito's Handmade Vodka's philanthropic arm for PFAS remediation and collaborates with the NSF Engineering Research Center CURB at Washington University in St. Louis. At Mizzou, Dai integrates engineering and life sciences, leveraging both Mizzou Engineering and Bond Life Sciences Center's resources. Her interdisciplinary approach combines electrochemistry, microbial engineering, and social impact analysis to advance circular bioeconomy solutions.
Allison Godwin is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Cornell University, joining the faculty in 2023. She holds a B.S. (2011) and Ph.D. (2014) in Chemical Engineering and Science Education from Clemson University. At Purdue University, she was a tenured member of the School of Engineering Education and held a joint appointment in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering (2020). Research Interests: Engineering identity development, particularly for underrepresented groups Inclusive pedagogies to reduce equity gaps in STEM Engineering workforce diversity and retention strategies Mixed-methods research on belonging and motivation Scientific Awards: 2023 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Award for Excellence in Engineering Education Research 2022 AERA Division I Outstanding Research Publication Award 2021 CEE William H. Corcoran Award 2017-Present NSF CAREER Award 2016 NARST Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award Leadership Roles: Past Chair of ASEE Educational Research Methods Division (2021-2023) Associate Editor for Chemical Engineering Education (2020-Present) Co-led Purdue’s Faculty Learning Community for inclusive teaching
Lande Liu is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Huddersfield's School of Applied Sciences. Previously, he held a Lectureship at the University of Manchester (2010-2014), and earlier worked as an industrial consultant and research fellow at Leeds and Sheffield Universities. His academic journey began with a MEng in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in kinetic theory of aggregation from Sheffield (2004), preceded by a visiting PhD at Twente University (2002). Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Sheffield, 2004) Visiting PhD (Twente University, 2002) MEng in Chemical Engineering (Tsinghua University, 1999) BSc in Applied Mathematics (Tsinghua University, 1996) Liu's research focuses on multi-scale particle interactions (molecular to granular) using kinetic theory of aggregation, with applications spanning nanotechnology, pharmaceutical engineering, and sustainable chemical processes. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for environmental protection and industrial innovation. Recent publications examine particle deposition in turbulent flows, enhanced heat exchanger designs, and nanofluid stabilization techniques. He teaches core chemical engineering topics including transport phenomena, unit operations, and process design. Active in collaborative research, Liu has partnered with institutions across Europe on projects involving spectroscopy, ultrasonics, and dynamic modeling. His technical expertise includes particle size analysis, tomography, and computational simulation of complex systems.
Stefano Grivet Talocia is a Full Professor in the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications at Polytechnic University of Turin. He serves as Director of the Doctoral School, is a member of the Interdepartmental Center SmartData@PoliTO - Big Data and Data Science Laboratory, and holds positions on the University Committee for Research and the Commission for the Promotion of Library, Archive and Museum Heritage. He is also President of the Doctoral School Council. His educational background includes a Laurea degree (summa cum laude) in Electronic Engineering (1994) and a Ph.D. in Electronic and Communication Engineering (1998), both from Polytechnic University of Torino. From 1994 to 1996, he worked at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, USA. Professor Grivet Talocia's research focuses on passive macro-modeling of concentrated and distributed interconnect structures for Signal/Power Integrity, order reduction techniques, and modeling and simulation of fields, circuits, and their interactions. His work spans several key areas including fast simulation of transmission lines (TOPLine technique), macromodeling and model order reduction, simulation methods for fields and circuits, passivity enforcement of lumped macromodels, waveform relaxation techniques, and wavelet applications. His research has significant applications in electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity verification of complex electronic systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in model order reduction techniques applied to power integrity verification, advanced macromodeling for electromagnetic compatibility, nonlinear circuit analysis, uncertainty quantification in PCB design, and power electronics modeling. These works consistently address practical engineering challenges in high-speed electronic design with emphasis on computational efficiency and accuracy. URSI Young Scientist Award (1999) Best symposium paper (2006) Three IBM Shared University Research Awards (2007-2009) IEEE Transactions on Advanced Packaging Best Paper Award (2007) Best EPEP conference paper awards (2007, 2008) Best Associate Editor Award - IEEE Transactions (2020) Best Conference Paper Award (2020) Three Intel SRS Grants (2022-2024) IEEE Fellow (2018) Professor Grivet Talocia actively supervises PhD students working on cutting-edge topics including machine learning applications in signal integrity, model reduction techniques, and electromagnetic compatibility. He has secured significant research funding through competitive grants including PRIN projects and multiple industry-sponsored research contracts with major technology companies such as IBM, Intel, Nokia, Hitachi, and Infineon. His technology transfer activities include co-founding the spin-off IdemWorks (acquired by CST in 2016) and maintaining active collaborations with industry partners. He leads the EMC Group (Electromagnetic Compatibility) within the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications and has developed the autoCircuits web service for automated generation of circuit theory problems. His research has been recognized by inclusion in the top 2% worldwide researcher catalog (Stanford) since 2019.
